For the most part, Barack and Michelle Obama still enjoy a very sterling relationship. Barack was a very well-liked president, and Michelle was his beloved FLOTUS; they spent nearly a decade in the White House, and most who saw their affectionate relationship declared these two #CoupleGoals. However, the past year has seen some real cracks in the public perception of their relationship.
How bad are we talking? For pretty much the entirety of the past year, there have been rumors that the Obamas are getting divorced. So far, their marriage seems as strong as ever, and that begs the question: where the heck did all these rumors come from? We’ve got the answers, and they’re guaranteed to shock you. Keep reading to discover the truth about why everyone thought the Obamas were getting divorced!
Michelle Obama skipped Jimmy Carter’s funeral
On January 9th, 2025, Barack Obama attended the funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. This was a state event, which meant that other former presidents (including Donald Trump, who was at that time both a former and a future president) were in attendance. As photos of the event began to circulate online, everyone who saw Barack without his usual plus one asked the same question: “wait, where’s Michelle Obama?”
The former FLOTUS expressed her condolences to Carter’s family, but she didn’t provide an official reason for why she couldn’t be there. Later, CNN reported that Michelle skipped the event simply because she was “still in Hawaii on an extended holiday vacation.” This was enough to cause widespread speculation that her marriage with Barack was on the rocks because she would rather chill on vacation rather than support her husband while the world was watching.
Michelle may or may not have actually been mad at her husband before Jimmy Carter’s funeral. Either way, she was reportedly very angry with him after the funeral for a very specific reason: being chummy with Donald Trump!
RELATED: When They Go Low: The Most Surprising Details About Barack and Michelle Obama’s Marriage
Was Michelle mad about Barack Obama laughing it up with Donald Trump?
As photos and videos from Jimmy Carter’s funeral began to circulate, many couldn’t help but notice a very shocking moment. Barack Obama and Donald Trump were seated next to each other, and many simply assumed that these American presidents from different sides of the political aisle would act like bitter enemies towards one another. Instead, they looked like two friends having a chat, and there is even a video of Obama laughing at something Trump said.
A little over a week later, an insider told Page Six that “the noise” about the Obamas divorcing was “getting louder.” The insider also claims, “I’m told she was furious at seeing her husband yukking it up with Trump.” That might sound dramatic, but as CNN reports, Michelle had previously called Trump out for “childish, mean-spirited antics” and dragged his supporters by saying, “Rather than question his horrible behavior, some folks think he’s funny.”
Now, “some folks” includes her husband! And some believe this was very nearly the last straw for their seemingly stable marriage.
Michelle bailed on Donald Trump’s inauguration
Less than two weeks after Jimmy Carter’s funeral, Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as president. Normally, such an event is attended by previous presidents and their spouses as a symbol of national unity, showcasing that we don’t have to let our differences divide us. Accordingly, Barack Obama attended Trump’s inauguration. However, it raised more than a few eyebrows when Michelle skipped this event, just like she skipped Carter’s funeral.
Some, including political commentator Link Lauren, assumed her absence meant that the Obamas’ marriage was on the rocks. “Still no answer as to why she skipped Jimmy Carter’s funeral and the inauguration,” Lauren said. “I thought it could be due to health issues, but now that seems very unlikely. Divorce looking more imminent than ever.”
While she normally doesn’t comment on the rumor mill, Michelle actually addressed the matter on her podcast. “People couldn’t believe that I was saying no for any other reason, that they had to assume that my marriage was falling apart,” she said. “While I’m here really trying to own my life and intentionally practice making the choice that was right for me.” In other words, she was protecting her peace of mind, and it’s hard to really hold that against her!
RELATED: Surprising Signs That Michelle Obama Is the Girlboss of Her Marriage
Persistent rumors of an affair with Jennifer Aniston
There have been persistent rumors that Barack Obama has been cheating on his wife with Friends star Jennifer Aniston, further fueling divorce speculation. Those rumors are mostly due to an August 2024 In Touch Weekly cover story breathlessly titled, “The Truth About Jen & Barack!” However, those rumors were taken to the next level in 2025 thanks to a blogger named Jessica Reed Kraus.
In a juicy Substack post, she claimed to have insider knowledge that the president and the actor were having an affair and that “it’s definitely not a secret among her closest friends.” Subsequently, many other outlets began reporting on this rumor, giving it fresh life. As for Aniston, she tried to kill the rumor back in 2024, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and denying there was any truth to this explosive claim.